Ader, Bas Jan

While studying in California, in 1960, Jan Bas Ader met Joan McInturff. When he went back to Europe, the two lovers kept sending each other love letters for almost 2 years. Bas Jan's first letters were written when he was back in the Netherlands, working on several projects: "I have a commission to paint a wall painting for an international flower show in Groningen (The " He have a studio his friend Wim found for him: "Looks like a cloister big high of cement with in the roof a big window which gives the best light you ever saw come though. Very pure and you feel back in the middle ages no sound comes through. Work here very fine". In there he's hosting other conceptual artists like the American photographer Edward Wallowitch: "Had here a photographer from America who was enormously taken by the place plus the fantastic light. He shot about 3 films here. Edward Wallowitch (...) Young nice guy". He eventually has to leave the studio and he has then trouble with working: "I have not touched brush nor pen, it gives a very unsatisfactory feeling and a feeling of guilt". He also writes Joan Love poems over his letter. He misses her: "I think often how it would be to have you with me in a few months. I would have somebody to love really, to work for and it would be good".

He, then, starts travelling in Europe and North Africa and sailing in the Mediterranean sea. He describes his fascination for Morocco, offering Joan to come to join him for a year and live together the "365 Arabian nights". He sails a lot, and describes, in particular, a tumultuous trip to Las Palmas which culminated with Bas Jan and a friend being rescued by the Spanish Navy on his way to the US: "Hell was loose. Wind 9-10. Broke our main mast, the muzzle sail blew out one mile from the Spanish Sahara, had a spare one, put it on in gale with the boat full of water just before we were thrown on the beach." and misses her more: "Is your hair longer than when I left? I am going to hide in it, bite in it, toss it, pet it and pull it over your eyes (the last so you can’t see when I am admiring your figure. It would make you too conceited and I like you just as plain and honest as you are).". While complaining for not having heard a word for a long time, he teases her about his "slip": "Stay a good girl (...) It should be a safe idea for you that I can not mess around with other girls for about one month (crossing into Barbados). Please do not get mad at me for talking like this. I love you but do make a slip once in a while". Unfortunately, at 18 years old, long distance love passes and in July 1962, Bas Jan received a break up letter to which he responded: "I have not much to write.  I will do my best. (...) Thank you Joni for what was. I never was as happy as with you. How ironically to find in your letter “nothing is out of the question if you want it enough.”  The sentence stayed around me all day. Allow me once more and you will not hear it from me again, for I do not want to make things hard for you. I love you I love you I love you." 

They wrote back again in 1966 when Bas Jan Ader was a rising start of the Conceptual Art scene. In 1975, the artist was lost in sea while trying to cross the Atlantic again.